08 January,2011 07:20 AM IST | | Fiona Fernandez
Come January 26 and most Indians are glued to the telly watching the Republic Day parade, marvelling as its armed forces strut their stuff. But what happens after this fine display? Colonel Mahip Chadha's Grit, Guts and Gallantry reminds Indian youth about the dignified, disciplined life in uniform. And no, this isn't your archetypal, preachy guidebook. Instead, read a no-holds-barred, humour-tinged take on life in the Army
Remember Fauji, Doordarshan's version of Top Gun from the late 1980s, where SRK played Abhimanyu Rai? While it made people sit up and take notice of King Khan, it also gave the aam junta a look into military life with a softer lens.
Colonel (Retd) Mahip Singh Chadha's book, Grit, Guts and Gallantry is a valiant attempt at rekindling an interest in the armed forces.
Indian soldiers march during the Indian Republic Day parade
in New Delhi on January 26, 2010. Blanket fog obscured the
start of India's 60th Republic Day celebrations. PIC/AFP
"I wrote this book in six months flat; the words simply flowed," reveals Colonel Chadha about the ease with which he went about writing on a topic that was part of his life for so many years, his baritone resonating through the telephone lines, from Delhi.
Battalion blues
"In 2010, I had visited my battalion (Second Battalion, the Third Gorkha Rifles) in Dehra Dun and was surprised to spot only 11 officers. The differences in rank were so glaring. The Battalion was doing well despite the responsibilities. Something needed to be done," recollects Colonel Chadha on how the idea germinated.
"In fact, in 1998, during the later part of my service, I was at the Army Headquarters in Delhi for a seminar on why youngsters were not joining the Army. I candidly mentioned that it was about the money; it didn't go down well among those present."
Next, the Colonel pointed how children of Army officers were taking up other vocations. When he was questioned about his family, pat came the replyu00a0-- "My older daughter is married to an Army man!"
Apart from the racy, conversational style, the humour is an instant connect in the book. The 65 year-old retired army man was keen that the wit remained an integral partu00a0-- "After all, the target reader is a 10th or 12th standard student. I wanted to stay away from the lecture mould. The Army is not only about training and hard worku00a0-- it's a mix of masti and adventure."
Change of guard
Colonel Chadha isn't thrilled about how things have changed in the Armyu00a0-- "There is a gradual denigration of the services. Once upon a time, the Army Chief would sit in the first row during the Republic Day Parade. Today, the babu has pushed him to the third row. "
He reminds us how we always call on the Army in a crisis or during a calamity. "In the US, when soldiers' coffins are led through a town, its population lines up to salute them. Here, things are forgotten in a flash." He also believes that lesser qualified people enter the services, thereby diluting the attributes necessary to serve the countryu00a0-- "this cannot be changed in one generation."
Money is huge concern too, according to the Colonel as he reminds us of the oft-repeated phrase, "If you throws peanuts, you get monkeys." Case in point: The 'Adarsh' Scam.u00a0u00a0u00a0
Women for war?
One couldn't help but bring up the hotly debated issue of deploying women on the warfrontu00a0-- "Women are welcome in the Army. However, mentally, things haven't changed among the men. Plus, there is the issue of privacy among women.
They will obviously not be at ease in such a set-up. Unless the mindset undergoes a change, the process cannot take root at the most basic level. In our country, there still lies an inherent resentment among men to take orders from women. It's different among US, German or Israeli armies. The sex of the soldier isn't important. The man-woman camaraderie is relaxed and comfortable, unlike here," he admits.u00a0u00a0
The Colonel is happy that women are moving into the para military forces, the police and the Border Security Forces; even for handling long-distance artillery. In fact, the Indian Air Force even allows women to flying transport aircraft. However, close combat zone deployment still remains a no-no for the Indian womanu00a0-- "it'll take a while for this to happen," he concludes.
Grit, Guts and Gallantry Colonel (Retd.) Mahip Chadha, Rs 195, Rupa & Co.
Available at leading bookstores from next week
From the navy files
Based on the life of Vice Admiral Nilakanta Krishnan (1919-1982), one of the most decorated officers in the Indian Armed Forces, A Sailor's Story is his autobiography, edited by his son Arjun. The Vice Admiral served the Indian Navy and the country for 40 years and has been honoured with 17 medals including the Padma Bhushan and the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry in World War II.
While his experiences span decades from pre-independence to India's rise as a military power, one of his most distinguished triumphs is his role in the 1971 war to liberate Bangladesh from Pakistan.
Vice Admiral Krishnan rubbed shoulders with royalty, presidents, prime ministers, war heroes and ordinary people and managed to touch their lives. Each episode is woven into what promises to be an intriguing, dynamic read of a sailor who bravely tided the waves.
A Sailor's Story: Vice Admiral N Krishnan, Edited by Arjun Krishnan, Punya Books, Rs 395. Available in leading bookstores.
